The new evidence suggests the Hunley was less than 20 feet away from its torpedo when it exploded. Remnants of the 2-foot-long torpedo were found bolted to the 16-foot-long spar.

The discovery indicates that the torpedo, which held 135 pounds of gunpowder, did not separate from the spar but instead was placed under the Union ship. It was fired by command, not contact.

"There is overwhelming evidence to indicate this was not a suicide mission," South Carolina Lt. Gov. Glenn McConnell, a Hunley commissioner, said in a statement. "They must have believed this was a safe enough distance to escape any harm. If so, they were at least partially right. Thus far, no damage has been found on the actual submarine caused by the explosion."

Because of the Hunley's proximity to the Housatonic and the amount of gunpowder, the concussion from the explosion could have damaged the sub and injured the crew. "Were some or all of them knocked out?" McConnell asked. "How long were they knocked out? Did the submarine's structure with rivets have a similar problem as the Titanic did when it brushed against the iceberg?" He added, "If the rivets give, the pressure of the water could cause leakage."

Scientists will use the new information to create computer simulations of the attack. Scientists also will start peeling away a layer of rock, sand and silt from the sub.

On a crisp, sunny day on the west side of Lake Hefner, Larry Dobbs walks on what once was water.

His metal detector makes a long beep followed by several short beeps. He's found something under the soft soil. With a trowel he digs up a 2-ounce lead fishing sinker.

Larry Dobbs uses a metal detector Thursday as he looks for lost items at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City. Area lakes are very low because of the recent drought.

On a crisp, sunny day on the west side of Lake Hefner, Larry Dobbs walks on what once was water.

His metal detector makes a long beep followed by several short beeps. He's found something under the soft soil. With a trowel he digs up a 2-ounce lead fishing sinker.

Nearby, Dan Pierce is slowly swinging his metal detector back and forth.

“I've got money,” Pierce said. He digs up a copper penny. It's the start of this day's hunt.

Treasure hunters in Oklahoma have found more ground to cover because of extended drought. On dry lakeshores, where the water used to be, metal detectors are finding collectible items

Click more to see video

Metal detectors typically find old bottle caps, pins and discarded pennies. But every once in a while they come across something of incredible value. A prospector in Ballarat, Australia unearthed a 12 pound gold nugget this week that could be worth more than $300,000.

The identity of the prospector and the exact location of his lucrative find aren’t known at the moment but according to The Courier the 12 pound gold nugget was brought into the Ballarat Mining Exchange Gold Shop to be evaluated.

Cordell Kent, the store owner, provided a few details into the find. According to Kent, the gold nugget was found within 20 miles of downtown Ballarat. It was found about 60 centimeters below the surface by a prospector using a aMinelab GPX-5000 detector worth more than $600.

Kent said that the person who discovered the 12-pound gold nugget could melt it down and sell it at market value for about $300,000. The finder could also decide to auction off the entire gold nugget which could bring in significantly more money.

Kent said:

“If you are silly enough to melt it down, it would be worth just under $300,000 on market value but as a nugget at this size and shape, it’s worth significantly more than thatI can’t remember a nugget this big ever being found locally.”